עברית
Faith
Announcing Early Pregnancy
Question
Hello and blessings. I am 29 years old and at the beginning of my pregnancy. I don’t know how, but it turns out I told many people about my pregnancy before the third month. This is not typical for me, and now my grandmother is very angry with me and says that what I did is forbidden, and I am really afraid and regret telling. What do you say about this, honorable Rabbi?
Answer
Hello
There is no halachic prohibition against announcing, so if you have shared the news, nothing wrong has occurred. However, it is a good and appropriate custom not to announce until after the third month, and some have the custom to wait until the fifth month.
Not announcing until the third or fifth month means not to inform other people or relatives (except perhaps for your mother, who will assist you through all stages of emotional coping). After these months, it is fine to discuss the pregnancy with others, but it is advisable not to overdo it or bring up the topic at every opportunity, and there are several reasons for this:
1. The evil eye: pregnancy and childbirth can lead those who do not wish you well or who are envious to think ill of you and feel jealous.
2. It is stated in the Gemara, "Blessing only rests on that which is hidden from the eye," since this is a situation where the baby is developing, we need blessings and assistance for everything to go well. When it is hidden from the eyes of others, the blessing rests more.
3. There are reasons according to Kabbalah; one of them is that speaking about something evokes heavenly scrutiny as to whether it is truly good to grant the thing or not. In any case, if you have announced it, there is no need to be concerned, and with Hashem's help, you will give birth at a good and auspicious time.
